Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
The Role of Imagination in
Developing Visualization
and Computing
Analyses of the images, forms, and motions in
interactive evolutionary design and art lead to
new approaches in defining aesthetic criteria,
not only in terms of the work beauty but also its
effectiveness and usability.
Bio-interfaces allow participation and audi-
ence interaction with art works, design projects,
and games. In contrast with previous forms of
interaction - through the use of mice, keyboards,
joysticks or touch screens, and participation by
adding voice, changing position, face expression,
or gesture -
bio-interfaces connect participants' physi-
ological and brain activities with the therapeutic
or entertainment systems, so the participants feel
and act as co-authors.
Figure 4 presents an artistic response of a
student from the Computer Art class to a lecture
on astrophysics, specifically on a scientific theory
of Big Bang, delivered by a physicist. The author
of this project presented this abstract concept as
an abstract artwork because nobody would know
exactly how the Big Bang related events might
look. He presented the lines of strong forces
acting along the oblique lines, and the centers
Imagination skills are important when one works
on developing a computer-based data visualiza-
tion, information visualization, or knowledge
visualization. With imaginative thinking one can
discover visual metaphors for abstract data, infor-
mation, or concepts, and develop various kinds
of visualization, for example, tag-cloud visualiza-
tion of data. In computer science, imaginative
approach to natural events and forces resulted in
the development of many fields of research such
as fractal geometry of nature, biology-inspired
computing, and artificial life. A thorough study of
nature results in creating metaphors for developing
new computing methods, for example, artificial
neuronal networks, evolutionary algorithms,
swarm intelligence, and also genetic engineering
techniques and bio-inspired hardware systems.
In the arts, evolutionary computing resulted in
creating generative art (Boden & Edmonds, 2009)
and the developments in biology-inspired design,
art, music, architecture, and other artistic fields.
Figure 4. Sam Dailey, “Big Bang” (© 2005, S. Dailey. Used with permission)
